Depression Therapy in Laguna Beach

Depression therapy at Third Street Counseling begins with a free consult to understand what you are carrying and which clinician fits. Michele Hall-Preston, LMFT, and Elaine Pike, AMFT, take the full picture seriously, not just the symptom list.

Depression is not always sadness. For many people it shows up as numbness, low energy, trouble concentrating, or a sense that nothing is worth the effort. It can affect sleep, appetite, and the ability to be present with the people around you. Some people describe it as a heaviness that makes ordinary tasks feel like climbing a hill. Others feel flat, disconnected, or as if they are watching life from behind glass.

Sessions are a place to name what is heavy, understand where it comes from, and find steady ways forward at a pace that respects where you are. The work is collaborative. Your clinician does not push you to talk about things before you are ready, but also does not let the depression set the entire agenda. The goal is to build understanding and momentum together.

Depression often coexists with anxiety. The worry drains energy, and the low mood makes everything feel harder, which creates a cycle that is difficult to break on your own. If you recognize this pattern, our anxiety therapy page has more detail on how we approach the combination.

For teens, depression can look different than it does in adults. Irritability, withdrawal from friends, dropping grades, or a loss of interest in things they used to love can all be signs. Elaine Pike, AMFT, works with teens and brings 18 years of special-education experience to understanding what is underneath the behavior. Parents are part of the process, with involvement calibrated to the teen's age and needs.

If you have been in therapy before and it did not help, that is worth naming. Not every therapist is the right fit, and not every approach works for every person. The free consult is the place to talk about what you have tried and what you are looking for this time.